Gone

[vneuberger]

went out to the coop this morning and 8 of our young birds are gone. no blood no carcasses no nothing. like someone stole them. see there is a very small space under the door that I guess whatever it was got in. I don't understand there isn't even any blood anywhere. any thoughts on this would be very helpful.

 

[so lucky]

Were the chicks small enough to have been pulled intact through the hole in the doorway? How large is the hole?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

went out to the coop this morning and 8 of our young birds are gone. no blood no carcasses no nothing. like someone stole them. see there is a very small space under the door that I guess whatever it was got in. I don't understand there isn't even any blood anywhere. any thoughts on this would be very helpful.

I would think you'd see some evidence of an attack. I doubt your birds would be all dragged out from a small hole without a fight. Maybe they broke out and ran away? Maybe the neighbors are playing a prank? Id poke around in there and see if you can find anything. Id also walk around your property and see if you can find any sign of them. Lost feathers, blood, anything to point you in some direction. They only predator i would suspect capable of a silent and clean get away would be a fox

 

[aart]

went out to the coop this morning and 8 of our young birds are gone. no blood no carcasses no nothing. like someone stole them. see there is a very small space under the door that I guess whatever it was got in. I don't understand there isn't even any blood anywhere. any thoughts on this would be very helpful.

Sorry for your loss.
Age of birds and pics of hole/space, with something in pic to give scale of size, would help.

Also Welcome to BYC, sorry you are having troubles @vneuberger
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[PirateGirl]

A fox or a bobcat could/would do something like this. A bobcat can fit through a significantly smaller opening than you would expect and can pick birds off the roost at night one at a time while sleeping and vulnerable, they will then stash a food supply for later.

 

[50-45-1]

exactly what age were the chicks?
Exactly what size is the gap under the door?
Weasel or rat can kill chicks, even a snake is a possibility.
Sorry for your loss.